# LAAuthenticationView A graphical representation of the state of biometric authentication. ``` class LAAuthenticationView ``` ## Overview In the view that you use to manage authentication, add a local authentication view as a subview and provide it with an instance. For example, you can do this in the method of your view controller: ```swift func loadView() { laContext = LAContext() laView = LAAuthenticationView(context: laContext) view.addSubview(laView) laView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false // Add more subviews and layout constraints... } ``` When the view appears, call the context’s method to initiate the authentication: ```swift override func viewDidAppear() { super.viewDidAppear() laContext.evaluatePolicy( .deviceOwnerAuthenticationWithBiometricsOrWatch, localizedReason: "access your data" ) { success, error in // Handle the result. } } ``` The local authentication view displays an icon that depends on the type of authentication you request, and the types of authentication that the system supports. For example, for a device that supports Touch ID, if you request the policy, like in the example above, the view displays the familiar finger print icon:  In the case above, if the user has a connected Apple Watch, that authentication mechanism works as well. If you limit the authentication to the policy, the icon shows an Apple Watch in profile:  You can include other content around this icon that suits your app. The system also displays a message on the Touch Bar or on the user’s Apple Watch, if appropriate. When the evaluation succeeds, the icon transitions into a checkmark:  If you call the evaluation without first attaching it to a local authentication view, the system shows a standard authentication alert instead. ## Topics ### Creating a local authentication view [`- initWithContext:`](/documentation/LocalAuthenticationEmbeddedUI/LAAuthenticationView/init(context:)) Creates a new authentication icon that reflects the current authentication state. [`context`](/documentation/LocalAuthenticationEmbeddedUI/LAAuthenticationView/context) The local authentication context associated with the authentication view. ### Controlling the size of a local authentication view [`- initWithContext:controlSize:`](/documentation/LocalAuthenticationEmbeddedUI/LAAuthenticationView/init(context:controlSize:)) Creates a new authentication icon that reflects the current authentication state, using a specified size. [`controlSize`](/documentation/LocalAuthenticationEmbeddedUI/LAAuthenticationView/controlSize) The size of the local authentication view user interface element. ## Relationships ### Conforms To [`NSDraggingDestination`](/documentation/AppKit/NSDraggingDestination) [`NSStandardKeyBindingResponding`](/documentation/AppKit/NSStandardKeyBindingResponding) [`NSCoding`](/documentation/Foundation/NSCoding) [`NSUserActivityRestoring`](/documentation/AppKit/NSUserActivityRestoring) [`NSAppearanceCustomization`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAppearanceCustomization) [`NSObjectProtocol`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObjectProtocol) [`CustomStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomStringConvertible) [`NSAnimatablePropertyContainer`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAnimatablePropertyContainer) [`Equatable`](/documentation/Swift/Equatable) [`NSUserInterfaceItemIdentification`](/documentation/AppKit/NSUserInterfaceItemIdentification) [`Hashable`](/documentation/Swift/Hashable) [`NSAccessibilityProtocol`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityProtocol) [`NSAccessibilityElementProtocol`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityElementProtocol) [`NSTouchBarProvider`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTouchBarProvider) [`CustomDebugStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomDebugStringConvertible) [`CVarArg`](/documentation/Swift/CVarArg) ### Inherits From [`NSView`](/documentation/AppKit/NSView) --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)